Studying New Imaging Methods to Measure Aortic Wall Strength in Patients with and without Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to assess the practicality of two new imaging techniques for measuring the biomechanical properties of the aorta in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm AAA and healthy individuals. The study involves comparing groups with no surgery, open surgery, and endovascular aneurysm repair EVAR to understand relationships between aortic wall properties and clinical outcomes such as aneurysm growth and rupture risk. Patients who meet surgery indications including symptomatic AAA, large size, or rapid growth will undergo standard preoperative assessments modified to include ECG-gated magnetic resonance angiogram MRA and 2-dimensional speckle-tracking ultrasound ECHO of the abdominal aorta. These imaging methods will be used across the three patient groups surveillance without surgery, open surgery, and EVAR. Patients will be followed for one year to monitor changes. Participants will receive imaging assessments including ECHO and ECG-gated MRA at baseline and during follow-up. Researchers will analyze changes in ECHO imaging as the primary outcome and changes in ECG-gated MRA as a secondary outcome. Patients with AAA will be monitored for aneurysm progression and related clinical events. The study does not use random assignment or masking, and participation will involve standard preoperative and follow-up imaging over one year.

Estimation of Biomechanical Aortic Wall Properties in Healthy and Aneurysmal Aortas Using Novel Imaging Techniques